My goodness! Harvard can’t cope with religion. Not my statement, it comes from a Newsweek article. Let me quote:"But in practice, the Harvard faculty cannot cope with religion." I find this odd for a university named for a clergyman, begun as “a training ground for Christian ministers,” whose motto is Christo et Ecclesiae ("for Christ and the church") and whose seal states Veritas (truth).
The article states that Harvard knows the importance of religion. That understanding today’s world holds conflicts that are defined by deeply held religious beliefs.
“The conflicts between the Israelis and the Palestinians; between Christians, Muslims, and animists in Africa; between religious conservatives and progressives at home over abortion and gay marriage—all these relate, if indirectly, to what rival groups believe about God and scripture. Any resolution of these conflicts will have to come from people who understand how religious belief and practice influence our world: why, in particular, believers see some things as worth fighting and dying for.”
What do we believe that is worth fighting for? Worth dying for?
Some of the Harvard professors hold strong beliefs:
“Steven Pinker, the evolutionary psychologist, led the case against a religion requirement. He argued that the primary goal of a Harvard education is the pursuit of truth through rational inquiry, and that religion has no place in that.”
The pursuit of truth holds no place for religion. That is what Harvard is teaching.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32 KJV)
Christ was speaking of freeing us from the burden of sin, but the truth inevitably sets us free in so many ways.
My favorite example, Bereans, used scriptures in pursuit of truth.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV)
If I state that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the scriptures should be searched to determine whether or not that is possible. If the possibility exists, further research should be done in pursuit of truth.
An Ethiopian did so while traveling in a chariot across a desert (Acts 8:26+). He recognized that the scripture he was reading promised a savior. God provided an explanation. I believe He will provide an explanation for everyone who seeks Him. He was speaking to Israel when He inspired:
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV)
Will we become more as Harvard is, denying, refusing to discuss beliefs strong enough to die for? Or do we not hold such beliefs? Will we grow as far from God as this university for Christian ministers?
Thanks for your post. It is sad, #1 - How far these Ivy League schools have fallen from their original intent; #2 - How few Christians know the reasoning behnd starting schools like Harvard; #3 - How many Christians send their young sons and daughters to these types of schools and wonder why they graduate in 4 years and want to have nothing to do with God, the Bible, or the church.
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